Abstract

RESENDE, Luiz Antonio de Lima  and  WEBER, Silke. Peripheral facial palsy in the past: contributions from Avicenna, Nicolaus Friedreich and Charles Bell. Arq. Neuro-Psiquiatr. [online]. 2008, vol.66, n.3b, pp. 765-769. ISSN 0004-282X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-282X2008000500035.

This study provides historical documents of peripheral facial palsy from Egypt, Greece and Rome, through the middle ages, and the renaissance, and into the last four centuries. We believe that the history of peripheral facial palsy parallels history of the human race itself. Emphasis is made on contributions by Avicenna and Nicolaus Friedreich. Controversies about the original clinical description by Charles Bell are also discussed.

Keywords : peripheral facial palsy; history.